Design and Performance Evaluation of a Tripler as a THz Radiometer Local Oscillator for Spectroscopic Applications in Space Exploration

Water is a vital element for sustaining life on extraterrestrial planets. In this paper, we propose an 80-100 GHz tripler based on a Schottky diode to supply a CubeSat standard 183 GHz THz radiometer for detecting water on outer planets. We introduce the THz anti-parallel Schottky diode and its layout, serving as the core component of the tripler, enabling efficient frequency multiplication in the THz range. The structure of the THz radiometer tripler is presented, explaining its design and functionality. Analysis reveals a conversion loss of 2 dB within the 80-100 GHz frequency range, demonstrating the tripler's efficiency in generating the desired 183 GHz THz frequency for water detection. The successful implementation of this tripler design contributes to the development of a CubeSat-compatible THz radiometer, enhancing our ability to detect and study water on outer planets. This advancement opens new prospects for exploration and potential habitability assessment in outer space.